Month: August 2014

The third annual Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival returns to the Seattle Design Center on Saturday, September 27. This year’s festival will feature over 80 cheeses and dairy products from 23 Washington cheesemakers including many of the recent American Cheese Society award winners plus a plenty of mouth-watering tasting options to explore.

In addition to a stellar lineup of the local cheesemakers the event will also feature several artisan foods and beverages that are destined to be enjoyed with cheese, making the tasting experience even more delicious, inspiring and adventurous.

Now with nearly 60 cheesemakers who call it home, Washington State is becoming one of the most prominent cheese-producing states in the country. The Festival celebrates the vibrant local artisan cheese industry by showcasing a variety of cheese made in Washington State. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the cheesemakers and learn about their products, business and philosophy to enhance their tasting experience and appreciation for the art of cheesemaking.

ACCOMPANIMENTS

The Festival will also feature a variety of locally produced artisan foods and beverages including bread, charcuterie, jam, chocolate, and crackers to accompany or pair with the cheese. Try a beautifully aged sheeps milk cheese with a smear of chutney or a luscious blue cheese on a walnut levain with a touch of sweetness then add some spiced nuts and slices of charcuterie to complete the cheese plate. Or experiment with different beers, wines or hard ciders to find a perfect match for your favorite cheese.

FESTIVAL CHEESE SHOP

Most of the featured cheeses will be available for purchase at the Festival Cheese Shop.

SEMINAR

For those who wish to hone their cheese know-how cheesemonger Sheri LaVigne from The Calf & Kid will guide you through a comprehensive tasting that will explore a diverse selection of cheeses made in the region and learn about the people, animals, and environment that make for the bounty of dairy products. Local beer and wine will be paired with cheeses along with other pairing elements from the area. Seminar tickets are available at www.washingtonartisancheese.com.

BENEFICIARY

The Festival is a benefit for Cascade Harvest Coalition a Seattle based non-profit dedicated to supporting healthy farms, healthy food and healthy communities. Since 1999, the Coalition has been instrumental in building alliances and facilitating programs that support local growers, food buyers and consumers throughout Washington State to ensure access to locally grown food in all of the places that we live, work, shop, eat and play.

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